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| Pointers for getting started 3D Model to CNC build |
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| Unstupid:
Here is what I charge for my services: Computer time (3d modeling, layout, nesting, toolpathing) - $125/hr Machine time (5 axis) - $250/hr Machine time (3 axis) - $150/hr Difficult material (carbon fiber, fiberglass, aluminimum, non ferrous metals) premium - 25% of machine time charge Tool wear fee - percentage of tool(s) cost Also, these prices don't include material costs... As far as cad software goes, check out rhino3d. It is pretty easy to use and not that expensive at around $1000. It doesn't generate files for the CNC machine. For that I use Mastercam and that software costs upwards of $40,000. Rhino will be able to generate files that can be imported easily into mastercam or any other cam software. |
| stpcore:
This has me wondering a few things. I have no idea if these hourly charges make financial sense for me since I don't know how fast the CNC can make it's cuts in MDF or 3/4" birch plywood. What is the average cost/time to cut a full sized arcade cabinet (give or take)? I have a pedestal cabinet design I was considering going the CNC route with in order for me to assemble multiple pedestals quickly. With that being said I would just assume spend the time to cut everything myself if it was not cost effective. I was going to start searching for someone locally this week (west suburbs of Chicago) but have no idea how to price this out. |
| GoYouSalukis:
I design in the free sketchup and then use a DXF plugin to save as a DXF and open in vCarve to create the tool paths. One thing to be wary of though is that sketchup circles start out pretty rough (12 lines - i think?), so if you cut those circles, they are noticibly comprised of lines. You can make the circles higher resolution in sketchup, but I usually go back in vCarve and replace my circles with the ones built into the program. |
| michelevit:
is this your first cabinet? CNC builds are great for complex cuts like decreasing radius curves and pocket holes. What are you looking to achieve that cant be done with a hand-held router and cutting guides/templates? Most arcade cabs are just simple boxes with nothing but straight cuts. If your just looking to design it in cad and send it off to a fab shop, you might save time and money by just sending your generated plans to a hobbysist woodworker who will cut it out for you. This will be for a fraction of what a cnc shop will cost. If you have crazy complex curves, then go ahead and go the CNC route. The operator will need to generate some code before making the cuts (nesting parts, feed rates, cut out tabs) which takes time ($) |
| stpcore:
I've built a bunch of pedestal and counter tops over the past year. I'm thinking it may save some time to have 5 or 10 cut at a time versus me doing it one by one. |
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